Ramelteon
About
Ramelteon belongs to a class of drugs called melatonin agonists. Ramelteon is used in the treatment of insomnia (difficulty in falling or staying asleep). Insomnia is a disorder of sleep that causes difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep. It may be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).
Ramelteon contains Ramelteon which works by stimulating melatonin receptors in the brain and regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Thus, it promotes sleep and helps to treat insomnia.
Take Ramelteon as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Ramelteon for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. Some people may experience nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, or tiredness. Most of these side effects of Ramelteon do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Ramelteon or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Ramelteon is not recommended for children below 18 years of age. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before taking Ramelteon. Avoid alcohol consumption as it may increase the risk of drowsiness and other adverse effects. Drive only if you are alert as Ramelteon may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Uses of Ramelteon
Medicinal Benefits
Ramelteon contains Ramelteon that stimulates melatonin receptors in the brain and regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Thus, it promotes sleep and helps to treat insomnia.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ramelteon
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Ramelteon or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Ramelteon is not recommended for children below 18 years of age. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before taking Ramelteon. Avoid alcohol consumption as it may increase the risk of drowsiness and other adverse effects. Drive only if you are alert as Ramelteon may cause drowsiness or dizziness. You are recommended to avoid taking Ramelteon with or immediately after a high-fat meal as it makes it difficult for your body to absorb Ramelteon. Avoid taking Ramelteon if you have severe liver disease. You are advised not to take Ramelteon if you do not have 7 to 8 hours of sleep before being active again.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Ramelteon may interact with antibiotics (rifampin), antifungals (ketoconazole, fluconazole), a medicine used to treat Alzheimer's disease (donepezil), antidepressants (fluvoxamine, doxepin).
Drug-Food Interaction: Ramelteon may interact with grapefruit juice. Therefore, avoid taking Ramelteon with grapefruit juice as it may increase the Ramelteon amount in the blood and increase the risk of severe side effects. Also, avoid intake of alcohol while taking Ramelteon as it may increase side effects.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have breathing problems, sleep apnoea (a severe condition in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly in sleep), liver disease or depression, inform your doctor before taking Ramelteon.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Ramelteon as it may increase the risk of drowsiness and other adverse effects.
Pregnancy
cautionRamelteon is a Category C pregnancy drug and is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult a doctor before taking Ramelteon if you are breastfeeding. Ramelteon is given to breastfeeding women only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.
Driving
cautionRamelteon may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel drowsy, dizzy or experience any vision problems after taking Ramelteon.
Liver
cautionTake Ramelteon with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Avoid taking Ramelteon if you have severe liver disease.
Kidney
cautionIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Ramelteon in patients with kidney problems, please consult a doctor.
Children
unsafeRamelteon is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Follow a regular sleep pattern. Do not take a nap during day time.
- Avoid watching tv, using mobiles or laptops just before bedtime.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol as it may increase drowsiness.
- Do regular exercise and maintain a healthy body weight.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Insomnia: It is a disorder of sleep associated with problems in falling asleep or staying asleep. It may be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Acute insomnia may last from one night to a few weeks and occurs due to stress or life changes. Chronic insomnia may last from more than 3 nights per week to more than 3 months. Insomnia is mostly caused due to depression, stress, anxiety, jet lag, shift work, uncomfortable beds, chronic illness, caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol intake, or due to certain medicines. It may be treated using sleeping pills, behavior therapy, changes in sleep habits, and identifying and treating chronic conditions.
FAQs
Ramelteon contains Ramelteon that works by stimulating melatonin receptors in the brain and regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Thus, it promotes sleep and helps to treat insomnia.
You are recommended to take Ramelteon 30 minutes before bedtime as it helps to sleep quickly and improve the quality of sleep.
You are not recommended to take Ramelteon with fluvoxamine as it may increase the levels of Ramelteon in blood and cause severe adverse effects. However, please consult a doctor before using Ramelteon with any other medicines.
Ramelteon may cause drowsiness. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid driving or any other activities that require mental alertness after taking Ramelteon.
Ramelteon should be used with caution in patients with mild liver problems. However, Ramelteon is not recommended for patients suffering from severe liver disease as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, if you have any liver problems, please inform your doctor before taking Ramelteon.
You are recommended to take Ramelteon for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. However, if the condition persists or worsens after using Ramelteon for 7 to 10 days, please consult a doctor.
